Joint press release: The European Parliament confirms its support for authors’ rights in the Digital Single Market

The Federation of European Film Directors (FERA), the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE) and SAA welcome the vote on the Copyright Directive in the Digital Single Market by the European Parliament’s plenary.

They thank the Members of the European Parliament for listening to the authors and for establishing the need to define rules in the digital space to guarantee authors’ rights and support European creation.

FERA, FSE and SAA are particularly pleased with the adoption of significant improvements to provisions respecting fair remuneration in contracts of authors and performers, as well as the confirmation of the introduction of a very much needed new Article establishing a principle of fair and proportionate remuneration for authors from the exploitation of their works, including online (new Article -14). They insist on the need for the upcoming trilogue process to confirm this basic provision in favour of audiovisual authors and general improvements to Chapter 3, to effectively support European creators in the digital era.

Quotes

“In spite of a very aggressive campaign against the proposed Copyright Directive, the Members of the European Parliament voted in favour of authors and the recognition that they need to be remunerated by whoever exploits their works. This is a big step forward that will have to be consolidated and even improved.” said Cécile Despringre, SAA Executive Director.

“European screenwriters and directors’ work is hindered today by unstable, low income. The European Parliament rightly exercised its power to reverse the trend and set more sustainable conditions for tomorrow’s European audiovisual creation”, said Pauline Durand-Vialle, FERA Chief Executive.

“Today’s decision by the European Parliament will finally allow screenwriters and directors to benefit from the ever growing on-demand exploitation of their works”, said David Kavanagh, FSE Executive Officer.

Notes to Editors

FERA - Founded in 1980, the Federation of European Film Directors gathers 40 director’s associations as members from 30 countries. It speaks for more than 20,000 European film and TV directors, representing their cultural, creative and economic interests at national and EU level. FERA EU Transparency Register Id No. 29280842236-21. @Film_directors

FSE - The Federation of Screenwriters in Europe is a network of national and regional associations, guilds and unions of writers for the screen in Europe, created in June 2001. It comprises 25 members from 20 countries, representing more than 7000 writers in Europe. @ScreenwritersEU

SAA - The Society of Audiovisual Authors is the association of European collective management organisations representing audiovisual authors. Its 32 members in 24 countries manage rights for over 138,000 film, television and multimedia European screenwriters and directors. @saabrussels